Berkley Sensation Books by Susan Johnson
HOT PINK
HOT LEGS
HOT SPOT
FRENCH KISS
WINE, TARTS, & SEX
HOT PROPERTY
GORGEOUS AS SIN
SEXY AS HELL
SWEET AS THE DEVIL
SEDUCTIVE AS FLAME
TWIN PEAKS
(with Jasmine Haynes)
Berkley Sensation Books by Susan Johnson
HOT PINK
HOT LEGS
HOT SPOT
FRENCH KISS
WINE, TARTS, & SEX
HOT PROPERTY
GORGEOUS AS SIN
SEXY AS HELL
SWEET AS THE DEVIL
SEDUCTIVE AS FLAME
TWIN PEAKS
(with Jasmine Haynes)
CHAPTER 1
Groveland Chase, November 1894
THE DUKE AND Duchess of Groveland were entertaining at their hunting lodge in the West Riding. The original party had been small, although more guests had arrived yesterday, and tomorrow the local squires and farmers would come out for the days hunt. As was often the case with country house parties, those invited arrived with unexpected companions. Charlie Bonner, for instance, had come with his wife, who neither rode to hounds nor liked the country. Sorry Fitz, Charlie had murmured with a grin for his host. I couldnt shake off Bella. And surprisingly, Lord Dalgliesh had brought his wife. They barely spoke. But her young son had wanted to see a hunt, someone said, and Lord Dalgliesh doted on the boy.
Not that all aristocratic marriages were as ill conceived and regrettable, although love matches were a rarity in the haute monde. Long-held custom in the fashionable world had always viewed matrimony as a business transaction and marriage settlements as a means of enhancing family wealth, prestige, or bloodlines. Should anyone be looking for love, that was available elsewhere.
Naturally, there were exceptions to prevailing custom. Three of those exceptions were currently having coffee and brandy in a sitting room off the terrace. The Duke of Groveland and his friends, Lords Lennox and Blackwood, were having an early morning eye-opener while waiting for their beloved wives to come down for breakfast.
To family. With a smile, the duke raised his cup. May our tribes increase.
A pleasant endeavor, Oz Lennox murmured. Ill drink to that.
Jamie Blackwood lifted his cup. Were fortunate, all of us.
Indeed. To kind fate, Oz said softly and drained his drink.
A small silence fell, each man fully conscious that life was uncertain, a gamble at best. They all understood how impossibly long the odds had been against meeting the women they loved in the great vastness of the world. How bereft their lives would have been had they not.
Into this contemplative moment a striding figure intruded, sweeping past the long span of French doors. The woman was tall, with magnificent flame-red hair, the spectacular lynx coat she wore equally resplendent.
Fitz smiled as she disappeared from sight. Rumor has it shes a witch.
In more ways than one, Oz drawled, pushing himself upright in his chair in sudden interest. What? He shot his friends a grin. I love my wife, but Im not dead. Did you see those flashy spurs? Ill bet shes a wildcat in bed.
And you should know, Fitz waggishly noted.
Oz cast a sardonic glance at his friend. Pleaseas if either of you were Puritans before you married. Hell, Fitz, you had Willerys bountiful daughter sizing you up under Rosalinds eye last night at dinner. I thought she might lean over just a little more and let her plump, quivering breasts spill over on your plate. And Bella practically ate Jamie alive while we were having drinks in the drawing room. He shot a look at James Blackwood, whod spent years standing stud to not only Bella but a great many other ladies. Did you have to make amends to Sofie afterward? She didnt look happy.
Bellas always been difficult, Jamie coolly replied. Sofie understands.
I beg to differ, Oz drolly said. I know Sofie. She doesnt understand at all.
Lets just say I was able to atone for Bellas sins. Satisfied ? And the enticing Zelda happens to be my cousin, so mind your manners.
Oz grinned. Youre kidding. Zelda? What a perfect name for a bodacious lady witch.
Her names Griselda, so relax, Jamie muttered. And the gossip about witches arose because shes recently returned from the jungles of Brazil with some native artifacts she chooses to wear. Shes no more a witch than you or I.
She raised all her younger siblings when her mother died, didnt she? Fitz commented.
Jamie nodded. All five of them.
So witch and earth mother, Oz waggishly noted. Every male fantasy.
Jamie gave his friend a warning glance. Fucking behave.
Or? Ozs grin was brilliant.
Or Ill tell Isolde youre lusting after my cousin, Jamie silkily returned.
And Ill tell her Im not.
Screw you, Jamie muttered.
Im afraid Im no longer available, Oz sweetly replied. My wife doesnt approve.
The stunning apparition suddenly hove back into view, arresting the raillery. Coming to a stop at one of the doors, the flame-haired woman opened it and stood for a moment on the threshold, her tall form limned in golden sunshine.
The extravagant lynx coat fell to her ankles, her flamboyant hair was untamed and wind tossed, her long, slender legs buckskin clad, her booted and spurred feet firmly planted. While a faint smile graced her lovely mouth, mild query arched her dark brows. Am I intruding?
No, not at all. Do come in, Zelda, Jamie quickly offered, rising from his chair along with the other men. Youre up early.
Its not that early. Hullo, everyone. The rowels on her spurs jingled quietly as she walked in and shut the door. Father and Ive been out riding since dawn, she said, turning to the men and stripping off her gloves. Although I seem to have lost him somewhere between here and the stables.
No doubt he stopped to talk to someone. Sir Gavin was everyones friend. You know Fitz, Jamie observed. And this is Lord Lennox. Oz, my cousin, Zelda MacKenzie.
A pleasure, Oz said, moving forward and putting out his hand. You must tell my wife where you found your coat. Its magnificent.
Thank you. He had a very lucky wife, Zelda thought, shaking his hand, and he must care for her or he wouldnt have mentioned her in his first breath. A wonderful tailor in Edinburgh made this for me. I can give you his name if you like.
I would. Ozs smile was boyishly warm. You werent here last night.
We came in very late.
Would you like a drink? Fitz interjected, because Oz charmed without even trying and Jamie had warned him off. Were drinking our breakfast.
Fitz has smuggled brandy so it tastes much better, Oz said, shifting slightly to include his friends in the conversation. I recommend it.
Perfect. Just what I need. And may I compliment you on your jumps, Lord Groveland, she added, turning to her host. Theyre wicked. Im looking forward to the chase.
I cant take credit for the hedges. They were planted long ago. But Ive added an obstacle or two over the years to make the run more interesting. Please, have a chair. Ill get your drink.
Zelda was shoving her gloves into her coat pocket and Fitz had turned to the drinks tray when the door to the hallway suddenly opened and a large, dark-haired man walked in. Morning, gentleman. The Earl of Dalgliesh advanced into the room. Its a perfect day for huntingfrost, crisp, cold. You couldnt have ordered any better weath His cool blue gaze suddenly fell on Zelda and a warmth entered his eyes. Good morning, maam. A connoisseur of beautiful women, he automatically surveyed her as he strode toward hertaking in her glorious face and form, the exotic garb, particularly the tight buckskins that left nothing to the imagination. Hed never seen a woman dress like that in public. I dont believe weve met, he said, bowing slightly as he reached her, looking down at her with a beguiling smile. Dalgliesh at your service.
